Contacts and Connections - October 2015

Sixty women dentists gathered in October for the NC Women in Dentistry Conference to learn new ways to recharge, motivate their team, enhance their practice and achieve balance in their professional and personal life.

ADA President Dr. Maxine Feinberg opened the day with her views on women in leadership and the changing face of dentistry. Dr. Desiree Walker, North Carolina’s own American Ninja Warrior-Dentist, talked about her personal experience with pain and fear and how women can turn their pain into power. Participants laughed and learned as a panel of their colleagues discussed their challenges and strategies for maintaining the ever-elusive professional/personal life balance. And luncheon keynote speaker Joy Mills helped the audience renew and refresh their spirit in dentistry. In her afternoon workshop, Joy presented ideas for engaging the entire dental team in transforming patients into loyal, committed practice ambassadors.

Participants’ reactions to the conference were overwhelmingly positive with comments including, “Fantastic job empowering women in dentistry!” Another participant noted, “One of the strengths of this program was meeting other female dentists and having my feelings, fears, and struggles validated.”

The NC Dental Society will continue its focus on women dentists, looking for more opportunities for women to get out of the office, reconnect with colleagues and learn and share ideas.

Congratulations on the work done to date to get new graduates moved to tripartite membership. Let’s continue to move the needle! Many are eligible for the $0 dues rate, so take this opportunity over the next two months to convert these new graduates to active membership. Work with your outreach manager to identify key ways to recruit those with a license and practicing in your state.

Class of 2014

Class of 2015

Over 2,200 of 5,344 are non-members

2,987 of 6,063 have Provisional Membership status

Market growth has outpaced membership growth in many state societies and now is the time to make your final push to make recent graduates, the newest members of the profession, our members.

ADA News (9/21) reports that the ADA announced “the recipients of the 27th annual Golden Apple Awards, which honor leaders, members and staff who have contributed to the success of dental society activities.” The recipients include the Chicago Dental Society, the Florida Dental Association, the Greater Houston Dental Association, the Maryland State Dental Association, the Massachusetts Dental Society, the Michigan Dental Association, the Ohio Dental Association, the Sacramento District Dental Society, the San Antonio District Dental Society, the San Fernando Valley Dental Society, the San Francisco Dental Society and the Wisconsin Dental Association. Congratulations to all.

The ADA New Dentist Committee this week launched a redesigned New Dentist Now blog. The blog, which has been gaining in popularity among new dentists, has seen readership increase more than 80% in the last three months and by more than 10,000 visitors. The redesigned blog includes new features like the ability for readers to subscribe to posts by email and to more easily share their favorite stories on social media.

Please continue to share the New Dentist Now blog with your new dentists and dental students. If you know a new dentist who might be interested in writing for New Dentist Now, contact newdentist@ada.org.

Over 100 ADA Success programs have been scheduled in nearly 35 dental schools this year! Find out if an ADA Success program is taking place near you by accessing the schedule on ADA Connect. Want to get involved? Check out our toolkit, developed to help dental societies leverage ADA Success as part of their dental school outreach efforts. Questions? Contact Isabella Horning in the ADA Office of Student Affairs at horningi@ada.org.

The 2016 SPI, which offers a 50% off dues reduction for targeted segments of non-members, will remain the same as 2015. State and local societies are encouraged to offer the 50% discount in order to increase renewal rates for these nonmember segments. The three market segments being offered a 50% discount on dues for the 2015-2017 membership years are:

1. Nonmembers in the five states with the greatest opportunity for growth CA, FL, PA, NY, and TX; and who are ineligible for existing reduced programs as set forth in the ADA Bylaws; and

2. Nonmembers from the Colegio de Cirujanos Dentistas de Puerto Rico and who are ineligible for existing reduced dues programs as set forth in the ADA Bylaws; and

3. Nonmembers that are 5-10 years out of dental school and who are ineligible for existing reduced dues programs as set forth in the ADA Bylaws.

*This is a one-time offer and only available to dentists who owe full dues.